How to write a PhD research proposal

When is a PhD research proposal needed?

Getting your application underway to secure a place on a PhD or research master’s programme may seem daunting, but we have put together this dedicated guide on the key information to consider and content to develop.

When exploring your options to undertake a research-focused degree at postgraduate level, you will likely come across two main options – to enrol directly on a PhD, which may require studying to master’s level prior to your application, or you may decide to explore a research master’s degree, which can feed into further academic study. Access our article on ‘What is a PhD and why you should do one’ to find out more about potential routes into postgraduate study.

If you decide that a PhD is the right route for you, you will need to familiarise yourself with the application process, and if you opt for a self-funded opportunity, you will be required to produce a proposal.

Why is a research proposal important?

The research proposal forms a fundamental part of your PhD application if you are submitting your own project plan. Its main aims are to outline both the scope and relevance of your topic, in addition to how you intend to conduct your research.

Whilst the wider application process – which may include your CV and a tailored cover letter – will outline your ability to do a PhD, your research proposal explains the actual research you plan to undertake. Overall, being able to effectively plan out and justify a research project is one of the main qualifications for being able to successfully complete one, which is why this component is such an important part of the process.

Fortunately, writing a quality research proposal isn’t complicated – it is a case of understanding the purpose of the proposal, what it needs to do for the reader, and how it needs to be structured.

How to get started with your PhD research proposal

Providing a strong sense of the background of your topic, with a clear focus on what you have identified is missing from existing literature, is crucial to framing your proposed research. The structure of your proposal, therefore, is vital to achieving this goal, but should have flexibility to allow for any changes you need to make as your PhD research progresses.

It is important to note that layout and formats will vary, so consulting with your potential PhD supervisor before you dedicate a lot of time to pulling your content together will be beneficial. Typical structures will include:

• Title page: Your provisional title should be included straight away and should be approximately ten words long, clearly indicating your area of study and/or proposed approach. This can be revised as you progress through your research. The title page should also include personal details, such as your name, academic title [if applicable], date of birth, nationality, and contact details.
• Aims and objectives: You should offer a summary of your project by outlining two or three broad statements that indicate what you want to achieve. These aims should be accompanied by several focused and measurable objectives, which outline the action you will take to answer each of your research questions. You will be required to briefly outline how your project addresses a potential gap in and/or builds upon existing knowledge in your research area; how it links to the specific department you are applying to; and, crucially, the academic, political or social significance of your research questions.
• Literature review: You will need to develop a dedicated section for the proposal that discusses the most relevant theories, models and texts that relate to your research questions. There must be a focus here on conveying to the reader your understanding of the key issues relating to your topic. It should also identify any gaps in theoretical and practical knowledge that your project aims to address – overall, justifying the need for the research and your motivation.
• Methodology: Within your methodology, there will be an expectation that you will outline how you will address each of your research questions. A clear and confident approach is essential across all research, but particularly so if your project requires extensive collection and analysis of primary data. Depending on your discipline, this section will identify the collection and analytical techniques available, before justifying your chosen methods in greater detail. It will also be necessary to clarify the population you are planning to examine. Another essential aspect here is showing your awareness of the limitations of your specific research study by explaining the parameters of your work.
• Timeline: Following on from your methodology, it will be important to outline a timeline of activities you will need to complete in order to progress with the project. It may be helpful to use bi-weekly or monthly timescales, which will help the reader to review the feasibility of your project. It also shows you have considered how you will practically go about putting your proposal into practice.
• Bibliography: As with any academic piece of work, you will need to provide a list of the most relevant texts to your research project. This offers an opportunity to showcase your skills in critical analysis and reflection by only selecting those resources most appropriate to your project.

Quality assuring your research proposal

Overall, you will want to demonstrate your ability to pay close attention to detail and to produce high quality content. Therefore, before submitting your research proposal as part of your overall application, you will need to ensure that you have met the criteria of the research proposal format. This will typically include the following:

• Numbering every page.
• Ensuring your content is professional, engaging and informative.
• Liaising with an experienced academic to check your proposal’s conformity to academic standards, and a further individual to check for correct spelling and grammar.
• Putting together a clear contents page that has been updated in line with the development of your content.
• Checking you have used a clear and easy-to-follow structure, with appropriate sections and headings throughout.

Top tips for your PhD research proposal

1. Make the most of the opportunity to share your proposal – being able to effectively convey academic concepts and ideas is a key skill for PhD research in all subjects. You will want to demonstrate your ability to do this here by writing clearly, concisely and coherently, using a straightforward structure to present your ideas and your plan.
2. Double check with the institution you are applying to as to the length they expect your proposal to be and take note of any other guidelines or advice they offer about the application process. If there is no clear indication online, then contact a prospective supervisor and if you remain unsure aim for between 1,000 and 2,000 words.
3. Make sure you give yourself enough time to do yourself and your research topic justice. The process of writing a PhD research proposal takes time and effort, but will be incredibly valuable in terms of reviewing and framing your ideas to feed into your project plan.
4. Avoid sending the same proposal to several universities. A strong proposal needs to clearly outline why you want to conduct your research at the specific institution, and this feeds into the feasibility and methodology of your project. You will need to explain the fit between the project, your proposed supervisor and the place, as well as how you are going to utilise the university’s resources and specific expertise.
5. Do not use online proposal templates, unless you have reviewed and considered their relevance to your project and the university. The best place to look for a PhD proposal sample will be the university you are applying to study with.

Writing Successful Grant Proposals

Share this article